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Nigeria’ll Remain Indivisible, Says Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his administration is committed to ensuring that Nigeria remains one indivisible country no matter the challenges facing his government.
President Buhari made this known while addressing stakeholders of the South-East zone during the 6th convocation ceremony of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, FUNAI, that took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe convocation arena, Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State recently.
He stated that: “This underscores our emphasis on the digital economy which led to the launch of e-Naria and similar processes. I enjoin Nigerians, especially the academia to remain focused on the cardinal objective of the university on Teaching and research.
“I assure you that the federal government will support research efforts geared towards addressing local and national challenges. My government is building bridges of partnership and friendship with foreign governments in all areas with a view to accelerating our national development.”
President Buhari, who was represented by Prof. Chinedu Nwajuba, a member of the NUC and former Vice-Chancellor of FUNAI, added that his administration was winning the war against terrorism and banditry among other criminal activities in the country.
“In a similar manner, I urge Nigerian universities to take advantage of the goodwill our nation has with the foreign governments and investors due to the sincerity of this government to partner with foreign universities in strategic areas.
“Nigeria is the only country we have, in spite of our ethnic, religious and cultural differences. My government will continue to do the needful to ensure that the country remains one. We are also winning the war against terrorism, banditry and all other forms of criminal activities.
“Our government will continue to ensure that citizens remain safe and their livelihood secured in every part of the country.
“Students should be committed to their studies and not be distracted, while lectures should not only teach but guide the students properly,” he stressed.
Earlier in a remark, the Chancellor of the university, His Royal Highness, Oba Michael Aremu Adedotun, said the economic development of the nation depended on the quality and quantity of functional knowledge and sellable skills at the disposal of the citizens as well as the quality of research from the universities.
He noted that the quality of teaching and research of lectures in the university should be in line with global best practices at all times.
Also, the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council,  Prof. Nimi Briggs, commended the management of the university for their decision to stick to enduring values and timeless principles of responsibility, which according to him, has contributed to the great success of the university.
However, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom, said there was much to be done,  especially as regards faculty buildings, office blocks, lecture halls/theatre, students’ hostel accommodation and staff quarters.
He called on the federal government to assist the university to upgrade in all ramifications.

 

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Senate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman

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The Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Red Chamber confirmed Amupitan after a voice vote conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and after undergoing screening and answering questions posed by the lawmakers.

Amupitan had earlier arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier, exchanged pleasantries with Senators.

He was accompanied to the chamber by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries.

At about 12:50 p.m., the nominee was ushered into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado, and was already seated ahead of the commencement of the exercise.

Amupitan was allowed into the hallowed chamber after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved that Order 12 be set aside to allow visitors into the chamber, and he was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Amupitan, his family members, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber, commending them for their presence.

Before introducing himself to the Senators for the question and answer session to take off, Akpabio disclosed to his colleagues that the nominee had been cleared by the office of the National Security Adviser after vetting.

According to Akpabio, the office of the Department of State Services had also cleared him.

The Senate President also said that the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, having done a fingerprint search on him, cleared him and said that he had no criminal records with the police.

The screening exercise commenced at about 12:55 p.m. following Akpabio’s opening remarks, during which he outlined the procedures to be followed by the lawmakers in considering the nominee’s credentials.

The screening session focused on Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, his plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and measures to deepen the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Following his confirmation by the Senate, Amupitan will oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lay the groundwork for the 2027 general elections.

The Tide source earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu had nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law from the University of Jos, to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The President’s letter conveying Amupitan’s nomination was read on the floor of the Senate by Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, Amupitan, is widely regarded for his expertise in constitutional and international law.

 

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PDP’ll Reclaim Presidency, Won’t Sink Following Defections — Mohammed

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Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, has expressed confidence that despite recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition party will remain strong and secure victory in 2027.
Governor Mohammed, who also serves as Chairman of the PDP National Convention Publicity and Communication Subcommittee, spoke to journalists on Saturday in Abuja.

He said, although he was deeply concerned about some governors and lawmakers defecting to the APC, the party was working quietly behind the scenes to stabilise its ranks and rebuild public trust.

“If you ask me whether I’m concerned about our governors leaving for APC, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden. As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes,” he said.

The Bauchi governor accused the APC-led federal government of using coercive tactics to weaken the opposition, saying the ruling party was bent on turning Nigeria into a one-party state.

“You know the style of leadership of the APC-led federal government in trying to make this country a one-party state. They have the power of coercion; they have the power of everything,” he said.

Governor Mohammed, however, maintained that the defections would not derail the PDP’s resurgence, stressing that most Nigerians at the grassroots remained loyal to the party.

“Even those who left are not finding it easier because most of the people at the grassroots level are PDP and are not happy with the defections. Sometimes it is done because of permutations and calculations. But I assure you I am not going anywhere. I am in PDP, and my state has no element of division,” he explained.

Governor Mohammed revealed that more defections could occur, including from lawmakers in his state, but insisted the PDP structure in Bauchi remained solid.

“Even today, I saw in the news that one of my senators is going. They are being controlled, they are being bought, but certainly, the state is PDP. Nigerians want change, and they believe they can get it through the PDP,” he stated.

The governor emphasised that the PDP had laid the foundation for most of Nigeria’s measurable achievements under successive governments and that the party remained the only credible platform capable of providing national renewal.

“Most of the measurable achievements by the federal government were done by PDP regimes. By the grace of God, if we stand firm, we will deliver. Some of us who won as governors were not even considered capable, and here we are. That’s what will play out in 2027,” he said.

Addressing concerns over potential threats to the forthcoming convention, the PDP stalwart said the party leadership was working to resolve internal disputes and litigations aimed at destabilising preparations.

“I cannot speak for the National Working Committee, but as a leader within the party, I know they are doing their best to address issues of litigations. Many are artificially created to undermine us, but we don’t have any faction in the PDP,” he said.

He noted that while some individuals had approached the courts to stop the party’s convention, the PDP remained more organised than most opposition parties.

“Comparatively, most of the other parties are not better off than us. We are better off than most opposition parties. We are the only ones intact; with one National Secretary, one National Chairman, and one Publicity Secretary. This meeting gives hope that at the end of the day, we will deliver,” he said.

On reports of Governor Peter Mbah’s rumoured defection from the PDP, Governor Mohammed said Governor Mbah had not formally declared any intention to leave and remained a respected colleague.

“Actually, Governor Mbah has not told us his position. It is a personal decision. We cannot remove his picture before he leaves. When he leaves, we will replace him with another person. Up till now, he has not told me he’s leaving,” he said.

He also dismissed speculation surrounding Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, describing him as a loyal member of the PDP who had endured significant challenges in office.

“He has not left the party; he is still PDP. Everybody has his own style. He is a humble young man who has gone through so much and has done well to accommodate all the problems and challenges he found himself in,” he said.

Commenting on speculations about a possible 2027 presidential project involving former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Bauchi governor said the PDP remained open to prominent figures who wished to return or associate with the party.

“People are still interested in this party, and these big names being associated with us make us happy. As governors, we have resolved to put personal interests aside. We are united and will come up with leadership that will be the best choice for Nigerians to put in Aso Rock, inshallah,” he stated.

Governor Mohammed reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP and expressed optimism that new, visionary leaders would emerge from the party in 2027 to defeat what he called the APC’s ‘deceptive’ style of politics.

“If somebody goes, just like a bird, they go, they come. Please, don’t blame anybody at the governors’ level; we are doing our best, but it is beyond our control,” he said.

 

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Obi Insists On Faith In New Nigeria During Rome Pilgrimage

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in faith while taking active steps towards rebuilding the country.

In a statement following his recent visit to the United States and Rome, Mr Obi said he used the pilgrimage as an opportunity to seek divine intervention for Nigeria’s unity, peace, and responsible leadership.

He stated that after addressing members of the Friendship Club in the US and speaking at the 1st Ubuntu African Youth Assembly in Washington, he proceeded to Rome to join his wife for a spiritual retreat.

“With hearts full of gratitude, we thanked God that, despite our differences and the many challenges faced over 65 years of independence, He has kept us together as one nation,” Mr Obi said.

During the pilgrimage, the couple visited the four major Papal Basilicas in Rome — St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and St. Peter’s Basilica — where they met with other Nigerian pilgrims.

“Along the way, we met many Nigerian pilgrims: men and women of faith whose faces shone with quiet hope. Together, we renewed our trust in God’s mercy and in the promise of a better Nigeria,” he added.

Reaffirming his faith in both divine providence and civic duty, Mr Obi maintained that prayer must be matched with personal and collective effort.

“Faith does not absolve us of responsibility; it calls us to action. We must each continue to do our part, with honesty, diligence, and love, for our nation’s healing and progress,” he said.

Mr Obi was accompanied by his wife, Margaret, during the pilgrimage, which also included an audience with His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican City.

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